Growth of the Soil (film)
| Growth of the Soil | |
|---|---|
| Norwegian | Markens grøde |
| Directed by | Gunnar Sommerfeldt |
| Written by | Gunnar Sommerfeldt |
| Based on | Growth of the Soil, by Knut Hamsun |
| Produced by | Gunnar Sommerfeldt |
| Starring | Amund Rydland Karen Thalbitzer Almar Hamsun Sivert Eliassen Gunnar Sommerfeldt |
| Cinematography | George Schnéevoigt |
| Music by | Leif Halvorsen |
| Distributed by | Norrøna Film |
Release date |
|
Running time | 117 minutes |
| Country | Norway |
| Language | Norwegian |
Growth of the Soil (Norwegian: Markens grøde) is a Norwegian silent film from 1921 based on Knut Hamsun's novel Growth of the Soil.[1][2] The Danish filmmaker Gunnar Sommerfeldt wrote the screenplay and directed the film, and he also played the role of the bailiff Geissler in the film.[3] Sommerfeldt invested DKK 240,00 in the film, which was a considerable sum in 1921.
Story
[edit]The film opens with images from a forest under a glacier, where Isak Sellanrå is clearing the land. Eventually, however, the perspective begins to change, and smaller stories break in and toward the story of Isak and Inger. A modern society is emerging around the two. The story of young Barbro walking into the river with her child, but still ending with Aksel, also receives significant attention.
Filming
[edit]The filming took place in Rana Municipality in Norway and was a very big local event.[4] A number of locals were used as extras and for minor roles.[4] Isaac's clearing was filmed in Røvassdalen, and other parts were filmed at Tverånes in Mo i Rana, and Hemnesberget and Korgen. A couple of Sami were also hired from the neighboring Swedish municipality of Tärna.[4]
Rediscovery
[edit]For many years, the film was presumed lost.[5] It then reappeared in several places. An American professor owned shortened edition, and it is believed that this 60-minute film was the version that was screened in the United States in 1928. A longer version surfaced in the Netherlands.[6] These two copies were combined to create the version that was screened in 2009 during Hamsun Days.
Cast
[edit]- Amund Rydland: Isak
- Karen Poulsen: Inger (credited as Karen Thalbitzer)
- Ragna Wettergreen: Oline
- Gunnar Sommerfeldt: Geissler, the bailiff
- Inge Sommerfeldt: Barbro
- Almar Bjørnefjell: Elesius, a young farmer
- Sigurd Berg Bruland: Brede Olsen, a farmboy
- Siljusson av Terna: Os-Anders
- Sivert Eliassen. Sivert
- Ernst Vaumund: Aksel Strøm
- Rolf Christensen
- Sigurd Køvatn
- Sesse Schanke
References
[edit]- ^ Hjort, Mette; Lindqvist, Ursula (2016). A Companion to Nordic Cinema. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons Inc. p. 290.
- ^ Alnæs, Karsten (1996). Historien om Norge: En ny arbeidsdag. Oslo: Gyldendal. p. 296.
- ^ Parrill, William B. (2015). European Silent Films on Video: A Critical Guide. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 171.
- ^ a b c Markens grøde: en filmhistorisk begivenhet: 1921-1994. Rana: Nasjonalbibliotekavdelinga. 1994. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ Koteng, Hedda Hiller (27 November 2008). "Markens Grøde opp fra jorden". Rana Blad. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Pedersen, Bjørn Tore (3 August 2009). "Fikk skryt av Hamsun selv". NRK. Retrieved 27 March 2019.